Local Cooperation As a Determinant of Conflict Resolution Success: Lessons from Niger Delta DDR Program

The purpose of this paper is to to purpose enhanced responsiveness to local needs and preparation for locally tailor-made plans in conflict resolution/DDR programme so that it's administrative procedures and responsibilities are  from locally  based office organisations that are outside the central government. 

Establishing conflict resolution structures and mechanism that supports greater inter-agency coordination at local level for greater government accountability through local participation is a suggested strategy. 

The idea is taking conflict resolution or DDR programme   from the  sole operation of central government (as in the case of Niger Delta DDR Project in Nigeria) to provincial (states) and districts (local government areas) to involve the direct actors and victims of conflict for the peace process by engaging them in the planning,  decision-making,  budget control; and holding them accountable for the success and failure of the peace accord.

Nigeria proclaimed Amnesty in 2009 for the 30,000 Niger Delta ex-militants. These ex-agitators are today the beneficiaries of the nation's managed DDR Project with sole administration by the Central government. Arguably,  mediation of conflict is at higher success if the disputants jointly initiated the mediation processes.  What lessons can learnt from Nigeria DDR project implementation forms part of this paper hypothesis.